The Davenport City Council approved a plan to support impactful community organizations using interest money earned on the City’s ARPA funding from the federal government. The ARPA interest allocation plan makes contributions to six key projects:
1. Humility Homes & Services - $150,000
Funding will be used to provide case management to clients, connecting the homeless to resources and services.
2. Vera French Co-Responder Program, in partnership with Davenport Police Department - $200,000
Funding will be used to expand hours and/or expand the co-responder services, pairing a Davenport Police Officer with a Vera French professional to respond to mental health-related calls for service. In the first year of the program, the team handled 850 calls. Fewer than 5% of those calls ended in an arrest.
3. Vera French Assisted Housing - $100,000
This contribution will benefit the Carol’s Village Gardens affordable housing project. The development under construction at 820 Harrison Street is set to open this summer, with 30 apartment units. Prospective tenants must meet low-income qualifications. Six of the units are designed for persons recovering from homelessness.
4. Project Now - $20,000
Project Now intends to use this money to support its Rock Island shelter location. About half of the shelter occupants are from Iowa. The money is contingent on the shelter being operational in Winter 2025/2026.
5. CASI (Center for Active Seniors) – $75,000
This money will support programming and activities for seniors.
6. Development of the West End and Rockingham Corridor - $500,000
This funding is earmarked for investment in the West End and Rockingham Corridor, with options including recruiting a grocery store or extending the DREAM project to this area.
The resolution also includes an allowance for each member of City Council through the Community Improvement and Support Program (CISP). Each member will receive $10,000 to support community projects of their choosing.
Previously the Council also approved funding for two additional projects – the relocation of Davenport Junior Theatre and Hope at the Brick House programming. Junior Theatre is moving from the Annie Wittenmyer complex to the Davenport Learning Center on W. Kimberly Road. In February 2025, The Council approved $1,165,000 for renovations and moving expenses.
In November 2024, Council approved $60,000 for Hope at the Brick House to support its after-school and summer programming.